Rockaway native debuts MTV talk show

Rockaway native Brian “Murph” Murphy is about to join the ranks of Jimmy Fallon and Stephen Colbert as television’s newest late night host.

Murphy, 30, will host the new “Middle of the Night Show” debuting Thursday on MTV. The half-hour show is produced by the comedy website CollegeHumor, for which Murphy is a writer and performer in web sketches.

The show is a “reimagining” of the late-night talk show format, taking it out of the studio and into New York City.

Each episode is co-hosted by a different celebrity – from “Silicon Valley’s” Thomas Middleditch to singer Jordan Sparks – who are woken up midsleep to guest host the show.

While the celebrities knew they were going to shoot a show, they were told it would be the following day so they’re all surprised to awaken to a production crew, live band and audience in their bedroom.

The celebrities then are forced to host the impromptu show with no preparation and little sleep.

Additional guests include rapper Waka Flocka Flame, comedian Adam Pally and actor Anthony Anderson, all of whom are forced to host the late, late night show with Murphy’s help.

Murphy grew up in Rockaway and went to college at Rowan University. His first job after graduating was as an assistant with CollegeHumor in New York City.

From there Murphy worked his way up the ranks to become a sketch writer and performer, eventually moving to Los Angeles two years ago to work on the company’s television projects. When Murphy was named host of the “Middle of the Night Show,” he moved back to New York City.

The idea for the show germinated from a CollegeHumor sketch in 2011, eventually being pitched as a television show featuring celebrities and hosted by Murphy, the most high-profile gig of his career.

“It’s a great opportunity to make that next step,” Murphy said. “It’s rare to get to do all this with the same company, with very special people I like a lot.”

For Murphy, the show has been an excuse to scratch items off his personal bucket list.

“I did a musical challenge against Jordin Sparks so now I can say I competed against an ;American Idol' winner in a sing-off.” Murphy said. “And I grew up a big wrestling fan, so when we had WWE star The Miz on and had a pillow fight, I can now say I got beat up by a pro wrestler.”

For Thursday’s premiere episode, Murphy and the crew wake up Thomas Middleditch and take him on a Time Square Scavenger hunt and to a New York City puppy hotel.

The following week, Jordin Sparks meets her celebrity imposter and interviews a Times Square “Elmo” in addition to having a singing competition with Murphy.

“Jordin Sparks was great, really fun,” Murphy said. “And she had a great reaction when we woke her up.”

The show is unscripted, so Murphy and the crew do their best to brainstorm the segments ahead of time but have to roll with whatever happens.

“We prepare for a basic layout and ideas,” Murphy said, “And then we go onto the streets of New York and see how it works.”

Shooting on the nine episode first season began in August. The celebrity portions of production have been shot, but Murphy and the crew are still shooting additional segments late night on the streets of New York City.

“Middle of the Night Show” debuts this Thursday at 11 p.m. on MTV, and people can follow Murphy on Twitter at @chmurph.

Staff Writer Michael Izzo: 973-428-6636; mizzo@GannettNJ.com